15 



can scarcely fail to afford information of value to the in- 

 quirer. 



It is tlien tlie part of the intelligent farmer to encourage 

 every honest attempt in the way of agricultural literature ; 

 and especially ought he to consider the claim to his regard of 

 its chief author and promulgator, the so-called fancy farmer, 

 of -whom it is safe to say, that from no class of agriculturalists 

 are we to look for better thinfjs. 



As the history of invention too plainly shows, the greatest 

 contributors to the progress of the arts and sciences are not 

 the men who make their calling pay. Here we farmers have 

 among us nien, for the most part representing wealth, intel- 

 ligence, and a love for the pursuit, who are continually en- 

 gaged in experiments, the substantial benefits of which, if any 

 arise, are sure to be ours. They interfere not with our 

 markets, they stop for no (Minsiderution of self-interest, save 

 perhaps the single desire of being appreciated, which desire 

 we are too slow to gratify. 



Let us then listen to no more sneers at the fancy farmer 

 and his calling. Ilathev, as we pull up the stakes of ignorant 

 conservatism, and fall into the line which f^reat industries are 

 continually forming for the march of improvement, let us 

 gladly accept and duly prize their proffered service, who, 

 though liable to err in council, are yet faithful and Avilling 

 guides. 



But not beyond the proper scope of this essay, lies the dis- 

 cussion of facts or principles which are capable of exact 

 statement, or thorough demonstration as to truth. 



Such is not the relative or absolute value of commercial 

 fertilizers, nor the efficacy of top-dressing; which last, how- 

 ever, as applied to certain soils, is commonly admitted. Of 

 the former, though there is no general substitute for the 

 natural manures, yet where, as in the forcing gardens of Ar- 

 lington, the cost of any fertilizer is outweighed by the most 

 trifling advantage secured by its aid, the manures of com- 

 merce are no doubt successfully employed. 



